The Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU) has announced the suspension of its strike following a timely directive from the National Labour Commission (NLC).
This decision, confirmed in a statement by the union on Friday, October 25, 2024, noted that members on the Single Spine Salary Structure will return to work starting Monday. The move comes as part of an effort to forge a path toward a mutually beneficial resolution to the long-standing labour issues with the government.
The directive was issued after a critical meeting involving representatives from the PSWU, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the NLC. The meeting, convened to mediate the labour dispute, reflects mounting pressure on all parties to swiftly address the root causes of the industrial action. The PSWU has expressed cautious optimism that with continued engagement, a sustainable agreement can be reached.
The PSWU’s statement makes it clear that the suspension is not a withdrawal of their demands. The union’s leadership expressed its commitment to securing fair treatment for its members, stressing that the temporary return to work should not be mistaken for the resolution of all outstanding issues.
The union has been vocal about the challenges faced by public sector workers, especially regarding wage discrepancies and issues within the Single Spine Salary Structure. Workers have long expressed frustration over what they describe as “systemic neglect,” which they argue has left many struggling with stagnant wages amid rising inflation and increased cost of living.
PSWU has called upon the government and relevant authorities to act in good faith, urging them to capitalize on this opportunity to address workers’ demands meaningfully. The union has also indicated that it remains ready to resume industrial action if negotiations falter or if its members’ concerns are not met with timely and concrete solutions.
However, the union stands by its decision to suspend the strike, holding onto the hope that ongoing discussions will yield the results that public service workers have tirelessly sought. This pause, according to PSWU, represents both a goodwill gesture and a reminder to authorities of the critical need for genuine dialogue and equitable outcomes for workers across the nation
